Claremont McKenna College Reviews

Check out reviews left by other students or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship.

Sarah

05/15/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

14 out of 14 people found this review useful.
1 of 7

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

Extremely safe. Claremont is essentially a college town, nothing much really happens around here. The worst thing that could happen is getting things stolen if you leave it out or forget it.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Beware! You will get ponded (thrown into a water fountain) on your birthday.

Bang for the buck

I mean, you get paid internships over the summer, an amazing career services center, wonderful professors, and friendly classmates. What more could you ask for? Seriously though, it's a lot of work and a lot of fun.

What to do for fun

Parties? TNC (Thursday Night Club) is popular for those that like to party. Even if you don't want to participate in drinking you can always fill your red cup with soda. No peer pressure. Otherwise, the village is a fun place to just hang out with friends. It might be difficult to get off campus as a Freshmen since you're not allowed to have a car on campus. But, you can always use Claremont Dial a Ride to get to the mall or around Claremont.

Food and Dining

Everyone says the food at the 5Cs are amazing, but it might get a bit boring after a while. Scripps' fresh baked cookies are always amazing and Frank is quite a walk but well worth it.

Dorm Life

Dorms aren't separated by class, there's a 10% reserve for freshmen in each dorm. Everyone is extremely welcoming, you'll often find doors propped open for people to just come by and say hi. There are also lounges in every dorm for socializing.

Academic Rigor

We don't exactly have that much homework, but come exam time and the library is packed with students trying to focus. Everyone is very self-motivated and it's not as easy to be at the top of your class anymore. However, the relationship that you're able to develop with your professors makes it all worthwhile.

Tips for prospective students

The weather is amazing here, but it still gets cold so don't forget the sweaters. You might be thinking, well I don't really want to go to a small school, but let's not forget that CMC is a part of the Claremont colleges and you're able to use resources from all 5Cs.

In three sentences

Claremont Mckenna College is an amazing community with wonderful students and professors. It's extremely difficult to not fall in love with the college, even students that consider transferring in the beginning change their minds. The education that you get here is invaluable.

Karissa from Walnut, CA

08/07/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

9 out of 9 people found this review useful.
2 of 7

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

There are round-the-clock guards that are friendly and make sure that you feel safe. They are also willing to walk you to your dorm during anytime of day. Also, Claremont McKenna is located in an area of low crime and has even been nicknamed to have a bubble of safety surrounding the school.

Greek Life

Unfortunately, there are no sororities or fraternities on the campus. The benefit of this is that all of the students mingle together and there is no division amongst the students. No one feels superior or inferior, which is great.

Clubs and Activities

There are clubs for dancer, actors, writers, activists, animal-lovers like me and so much more. The beauty of having so many clubs is that as a student I do not feel limited to just a certain activity that I was used to participating in during high school. Now I can even try Salsa dancing classes and broaden my horizons.

Great for these types of students

Claremont McKenna is a great supporter of sports and there is even underwater basket weaving. If you are an athlete, the professors are understanding of your demanding work schedule and the hours that you dedicate to practice. At times they are willing to be more lenient and help the students not feel overwhelmed with the work load.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There is a special glass room located just outside of the main office where students can study, relax before their next class, or hang out with friends. It is a beautifully designed structure that is even cooler to look at on the inside. It is conveniently located in the center of campus and there is Wi-fi, air conditioning, and comfty chairs.

Bang for the buck

To be honest, Claremont McKenna is one of the most expensive private colleges there is. However, that large price tag isn't there for no reason. The personalized professor-student office hours where a student can either ask for help or just have lunch with their teacher, endless buffet of gourmet meals and desserts, and beautifully landscaped campus are among the many bonuses of this college. There is also a guarantee that you will receive your Bachelor's Degree in four years, unlike state funded universities which are now having their students graduate in an average of five years.

What to do for fun

Personally, the 5K Color Run is a great way to gether people from all of the Claremont Colleges, have fun, and run for a cause. There are hundreds of clubs to choose from, whether they be theater or sports-related, there is an activity for everyone. About 33% of the students who attend Claremont McKenna are athletes so a fantastic way to make new friends is through sports.

Food and Dining

The food at Claremont McKenna is amazing. There is no such thing as fast food there. Everything is cooked like a meal that mom makes at home. There is always fresh salad and vegetarian options in addition to the wide selection of food already presented at each meal. Also, you can always get up and get more food unlike some colleges where what you have on your plate is all you get.

Dorm Life

The fact that there are only two substance-free halls is bothersome. Having such a high percentage of the dorms that allows substances can lead to peer pressure of drinking or smoking, which could have been avoided by having more substance-free halls. One of the luxuries, however, of these college dorms is the maid service.

Academic Rigor

Claremont is one of the most prestigious private colleges in the country. For that reason, there are high expectations from the student to be determined for that high GPA, driven to form their own research projects, become a leader or activist in a club, and still be a team player in the Claremont family. Some students are overwhelmed by the focus on leadership because not everyone is capable of having such skills. However, these values and rigorous course loads are what push each student to become better leaders for the future.

Tips for prospective students

Don't be intimidated by the fact that there are five colleges located within the Claremont Colleges. Each college has its own personality and the smaller size of Claremont McKenna gives a homey atmosphere. I feel safe knowing that I don't have a far distance to walk at night from my friends dorm to my dorm. Also, be sure to take advantage of the wonderful Wilderness Outdoor Adventure trip in the summer because you meet tons of incoming freshmen and make many new friends.

In three sentences

Claremont is a diverse school that brings out the drive and passion in every student. Although notorious for being a rigorous school, each professor is willing to take the time to make sure that the students succeed and are prepared adults for the future. With the easy access to the other Claremont Colleges surrounding Claremont McKenna, the student is never bored with their environment and can actually broaden their interests in therms of taking classes offered at the other colleges.

Jessica from Claremont, CA

Very safe! There are emergency phones all around campus. You are given the campus security's number at orientation so in case anything happens, you know who to call.

Clubs and Activities

Visit http://cmcclubs.com/

Great for these types of students

Fun, out-going, hard-working and laid-back.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

On your birthday, prepare to be ponded in the fountain at midnight. Attend Donald McKenna's birthday party and have the chance to win a free trip to Scotland. Win a trip to Paris at Monte Carlo.

Bang for the buck

The experiences you get at Claremont McKenna are invaluable. Consider this: you get a speaker every day of the week at the Athenaeum, you get tea time in the afternoon and snack time at night. These are the icing on the cake of being at Claremont McKenna.

What to do for fun

There are many IM sports, clubs and weekend festivities for you to have fun.

Food and Dining

AMAZING FOOD. You will never get bored of the food. Even if you do, you have four-five other dining halls to choose from at the other colleges.

Dorm Life

Most students live in dorms for all four years. As a current senior, I prefer to live on-campus than off-campus. Not only will you be closer to the classrooms, but the dining hall will be minutes away as well as free access to computers/internet/printing.

Academic Rigor

Classes are tough but it is possible to get straight A's if you work hard.

Tips for prospective students

Focus on your leadership abilities and how you can develop them at Claremont McKenna.

In three sentences

Claremont McKenna places a high emphasis on leadership and ethics. The school is designed for students to actively learn and participate in activities they genuinely enjoy. Their motto is work hard, play harder.

Clevelander at CMC

I've never felt scared of anything or anyone on campus, the security is always around and generally don't interfere in your life or bother you except if you need help.

Greek Life

Doesn't so much exist at CMC but there are some organizations in the 5C community.

Great for these types of students

Ambitious, goal-oriented, fun, good humor, intelligent, ready to work hard and play hard too!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

If its your birthday and you don't like being thrown in a fountain in the middle of the night wearing all your clothes, either don't come to CMC or hide on your birthday! (like I did)

Bang for the buck

I'm on a very generous scholarship and what I do pay for I feel is worth it for what I get back! But many students I know who pay full tuition are equally happy with the school.

What to do for fun

Join a club! Go to the trivia quiz on Thursday nights! Go to a movie showing on Friday! Check out a big party or a small get together.

Food and Dining

Collins is has a lot of healthy options and it's very convenient to be able to meet friends from all 5Cs at your and their dining halls.

Dorm Life

I made some of the most amazing friends living in one of the least sought after dorms on campus. Sometimes less is more!

Tips for prospective students

Don't decide not to come to CMC simply because you aren't a gov or Econ major. I am pre-med at CMC and it's not always easy but there is plenty of support for people off the beaten path!

In three sentences

Claremont McKenna is a place for the bold, adventurous, and ambitious. If you are serious about getting something done, in many cases there is funding and support available. It's just a matter of having the courage and strength to know what you want and work for it!

Student

02/25/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
6 of 7

Categories

Comments

Greek Life

There is no greek life at CMC. In my opinion this is great because we have parities every week that everyone can go to. We also have massive 5-C parties that are legendary. (FOAM at Mudd, Pirate Party at CMC, EuroTrash at Scripps, Harwood Halloween at Pomona)

Great for these types of students

Academic, Athletic, and Outgoing.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

You get ponded (thrown into one of the fountains) on your birthday.

Bang for the buck

CMC is expensive, but there is financial aid available if you qualify. CMC graduates enjoy one of the highest starting salaries of any university in the country.

Food and Dining

Great all you can eat food at all 7 of the 5-C dining halls. The best college food in the country!

Dorm Life

The dorms are okay. Generally you can expect to live all 4 years on campus. They are all centrally located and only a short walk to wherever you are headed.

Academic Rigor

You can expect classes to be challenging, but interesting. Since all classes are small (generally no more than 15-25 students) you can expect one on one time with the professor whenever you need it.

Christina from Los Angeles, CA

My tour guide told me the food at the cafeteria is good and there are other places around campus you are able to take advantage of.

Dorm Life

I liked the look of the dorms when I was given my campus tour.

Academic Rigor

I was able to talk to students and they said the course work was rigorous yet fulfilling.

In three sentences

I enjoyed the atmosphere while I visited the campus. I thought the campus was nice and fit what I am looking for in a college. I was able to talk to representatives and thought they gave me great information for the admission process and any other questions I had.

Cappex is the company behind CollegeGreenlight.com.

College Greenlight is a service provided by Cappex.com, a leading college search website that has relationships with hundreds of colleges nationwide and years of experience helping millions of students achieve their college dreams.